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I had a rubbish job and left to start a new one. at this point i found out i was pregnant. i told my new employers in good faith and they made an excuse up to get rid of me. consequently been pregnant and jobless. i struggled to find work and have been on benefits ever since. my son is now 12 weeks old nd i would love to go back to work however trying to find a job that will pay enough for me to make it worthwhile coming off benefits is rediculious. i am highly qualified but because i've been out of work for 12 months i'm struggling to find a decent job. i'm constantly skint and cant afford to give my son what he deserves. im starting to get depressed....where are all the people that are supposed to help you get bck into work all the job centre have done is give me a list of jobs to apply for. no wonder ppl stay on benefits its not worth coming off them i get my rent and council tax paid and get nearly 200 pound a week cash...wont get that if i work...IM TORN BETWEEN DOING THE RIGHT THING AND GETTING A JOB AND SCROUNGING OFF THE STATE FOREVER
Hi helenhawden, sorry to hear how much you are struggling right now, and that the job centre have not been very helpful in helping you to look for work.
It would probably be quite difficult whilst you have a baby to take care off as a lot of earnings will go on childcare. Not that, that should put you off, what type of work are you looking for?
Hi Helen, sorry to hear about your situation. I know it is hard and I think the system is set up in a way that keeps people on benefits as long as they possibly can (till their child turns 7 and you are forced to work) and then throws them in to a job that doesnt pay what they need to live on - grr it really gets my back up, but thats for another day!
I was in the exact same position as you and decided when my little 'un was 3 months old that I just HAD to work for my mental health. I ended up about £5 a week better off by working but for me, it kept my depression at bay so i did it. Looking back i wish id have held out a little longer though as now my little 'un is 8 and I feel I missed so much (I did work full time though).
After my redundancy I chose to go in to full time education and am now doing a degree and find that my student finance pays more than my wage did - and no council tax (bonus!).
One thing to point out though is I dont think it is entirely legal for an employer to get rid because you are pregnant no matter how long you been in employment with them - maybe you could look in to that!!??
Hi. Sorry I'm getting confused. Do you not live with your partner and 12 week old son? If you're a single mum living on benefits, then yes it is definately a struggle. Can I also say that I don't class those on benefits as scroungers. If we cannot work because of our situations, then we need the help from benefits. Ideally of course, no one wants to be claiming, but sometimes we just have too.